Official release from acuranews.com:

Acura NSX Production Site Selected in Ohio

Located Near Honda’s R&D Center, Facility to Employ 100 Highly Skilled Associates

05/14/2013 – MARYSVILLE, Ohio

Acura today announced that the all-new NSX supercar will be produced at a new Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, a $70 million advanced production facility encompassing 184,000 square feet to be housed inside Honda’s former North American Logistics facility and located in the midst of Honda’s existing R&D and production engineering operations.

The site for the new production facility, which will be Honda’s third auto plant in Ohio, is only a few miles from the Honda R&D Americas, Inc. Ohio Center that is engineering the supercar for production and adjacent to Honda of America Mfg.’s Marysville Auto Plant. The Performance Manufacturing Center also is close to Honda Engineering North America, Inc., center for the development of new production technologies.

A part of Honda of America, the Performance Manufacturing Center will be a unique manufacturing operation that will employ approximately 100 highly skilled manufacturing associates drawn from within Honda’s existing operations in Ohio. In addition, associates at Honda’s engine plant in Anna, Ohio, will assemble the NSX powertrain.

“Thirty years ago, building cars in America was a big dream. Working together, here in Ohio and across North America we turned this dream into reality,” said Hidenobu Iwata, president & CEO of Honda of America and the head of Honda’s manufacturing operations in North America. “The location of this facility is in the midst of one of the greatest collections of engineering and production talent in the world. So it makes sense that we will renew the dream and build this high-tech, supercar in Marysville, Ohio.”

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2014 Acura ILX

Official release from acuranews.com:

2014 Acura ILX Luxury Sports Sedan Arrives With Host of New Standard Features, Providing More Content and Value for the Luxury Brand’s Gateway Sedan 

17-inch alloy wheels, upgraded seating, and enhanced audio and electronics all strengthen  the compact ILX’s luxury appeal

05/13/2013 – TORRANCE, Calif

The 2014 Acura ILX luxury sports sedan goes on sale tomorrow with a host of new standard features, further strengthening the gateway vehicle to the Acura brand. Introduced as an all-new model for the 2013 model year, the 2014 Acura ILX offers increased value on a luxury scale with eight new standard features to enhance its curb appeal, interior comfort and overall driving enjoyment.

The ILX is the only luxury model on the top ten list of Generation Y car shoppers according to J.D. Power and Associates, and the 2014 ILX gets upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels, while the interior receives new leather seating surfaces and leatherette door liners, an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats and a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera.  The ride experience is further enhanced by a new audio-system subwoofer and an Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system that are standard features on the 2014 ILX, which starts at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price* (MSRP) of $26,900, an increase of just $1,000.

Two advanced powertrain choices are available for 2014 ILX, with a standard 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower. Paired with a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission, it has an EPA ** city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 24/35/28 mpg. For a more dynamic driving experience, the ILX can be equipped with a close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission matched to a 2.4-liter engine generating 201 horsepower, and earning an EPA ** city/highway/combined fuel economy rating of 22/31/25 mpg. Information on the 2014 Acura ILX Hybrid will be announced at a later date.

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Official release from acuranews.com:

05/02/2013 – LINCOLN, Ala

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley joined more than 1,500 associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) today to celebrate the start of mass production of the all-new 2014 Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.

HMA is now the exclusive global production source of the Acura MDX, along with key Honda light truck models, including the Odyssey minivan, the Pilot sport utility vehicle and the Ridgeline pickup. HMA also builds the V-6 engines that power each model.  The 2014 Acura MDX features an all-new Earth Dreams Technology direct injection V-6 engine going into production in North America for the first time.

“Today, we celebrate a new Alabama-made vehicle, fueled by the pride of Honda associates who are committed to exceeding the expectations of our Acura customers,” said Tom Shoupe, HMA president.

Designed, engineered and developed in the U.S., the seven-passenger Acura MDX has long been a benchmark vehicle in its segment and Acura’s top-selling vehicle for the past year. Built on a completely new platform, the redesigned 2014 MDX offers improved ride comfort, a more versatile and luxurious cabin, class-leading fuel economy and enhanced dynamic performance.

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Official release from acuranews.com:

Honda April Sales Up on CR-V Monthly Sales Record; All-New RLX Flagship Sedan Bolsters Acura Sales Gain

Both Honda and Acura gains driven by record light trucks sales

05/01/2013 – TORRANCE, Calif.

American Honda today reported April 2013 U.S. sales of 130,999 units, an increase of 7.4 percent compared with April 2012 (up 3.1 percent based on the Daily Selling Rate, or DSR*). The Honda brand posted April 2013 sales of 117,100 units, an increase of 6.6 percent compared with April 2012. Acura U.S. April sales of 13,899 units increased 14.2 percent compared with April 2012.

Acura

• Sales of the all-new luxury flagship RLX sedan strong with 400 units in its first full month, as dealer inventory builds

• RDX sets its twelfth-consecutive monthly sales record, up 106.0 percent from last April, and is the top-selling Acura model in April with sales of 4,088 units

• Acura sets an April truck sales record, with total Acura year-to-date sales up over 13 percent

“With a full year of record sales growth, the RDX is a resounding success,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura Sales. “Continued record-breaking sales of the RDX is laying a solid foundation for the new RLX and MDX Acura models launching this year.”

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 25 days for April 2013 and 24 days for April 2012. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 101 days for 2013 and 101 days for 2012. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

[Source: Acura]

Official release from acuranews.com:

New Accord Continues to Drive Honda Sales in March; Big Acura Sales Jump Fueled by Record-Setting RDX and All-New RLX

Honda Division sales up 5.3 percent, Acura sales up 26.3 percent

04/02/2013 – TORRANCE, Calif

American Honda today reported March 2013 U.S. sales of 136,038 units, an increase of 7.1 percent compared with March 2012 (up 11.1 percent based on the Daily Selling Rate, or DSR*). The Honda brand posted March 2013 sales of 121,938 units, an increase of 5.3 percent compared with March 2012.  Acura U.S. March sales of 14,100 units increased 26.3 percent compared with March 2012.

Acura

• RDX sets its eleventh-consecutive monthly sales record, up 284.8 percent from last March, and is the top-selling Acura model in March with sales of 3,875 units

• Sales of the all-new flagship RLX sedan, which went on-sale March 15, are off to a solid start with 336 units sold

• TL was the top selling Acura sedan in March with sales of 3,080 units, ILX sales continue to bolster Acura totals with sales of 2,059 units

“As we close in on a full year of sales, it’s clear that the RDX is an undisputed success,”  said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura Sales. “With the all-new RLX off to a great start and a redesigned MDX coming soon, expect great things from Acura this year.”

*The daily selling rate (DSR) is calculated with 27 days for March 2013 and 28 days for March 2012. Year-to-date, the DSR is calculated with 76 days for 2013 and 77 days for 2012. All other percentages in release are unadjusted; see table for adjusted DSR figures.

[Source: Acura]

Third-generation MDX raises the bar with more performance, class-leading fuel economy ratings, innovative interior features and signature Acura technologies

03/27/2013 – NEW YORK

Acura today unveiled the all-new 2014 MDX luxury SUV at the 2013 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). Built on a completely new platform, the seven-passenger MDX offers improved ride comfort, a more versatile and luxurious cabin, increased fuel efficiency and enhanced dynamic performance.  The MDX will also be offered for the first time in a more affordable and even more fuel-efficient two-wheel-drive configuration.

“Building on the award-winning dynamic performance of the previous model, the third-generation MDX adds new levels of luxury comfort, family functionality and fuel efficiency to once again set the luxury SUV benchmark,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura Sales. “From Nürburgring-tuned dynamics and thoughtful interior appointments, to the addition of a new two-wheel-drive model, the all-new MDX continues Acura’s direction of creating vehicles that advance the synergy between man and machine.”

Powertrain
The 2014 Acura MDX is powered by an all-new direct-injected 24-valve 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™), producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. The MDX’s engine architecture is shared with two racecars that recently finished First and Second in the LMP2 class at the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). Employing a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport Mode and Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters, the new MDX will be offered in both Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™) and two-wheel-drive drivetrain variants, both featuring Acura’s new Agile Handling Assist technology.

Matched to the highly efficient Earth Dreams Technology engine and the \ SH-AWD drivetrain, the 2014 MDX has an EPA fuel economy rating of 18/27/21 mpg¹ (city/highway/combined), while the new front-wheel-drive model is EPA rated at 20/28/23 mpg¹ (city/highway/combined).

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Official release from acuranews.com:

All-New 2014 Acura MDX to Restake Luxury SUV Benchmark Status at the 2013 New York International Auto Show 

With its sharpened performance, efficient design, and refined cabin, the third-generation MDX aims to redefine the 7-passenger luxury SUV segment

03/18/2013 – TORRANCE, Calif

The production version of the all-new 2014 Acura MDX will be unveiled March 27, at the 2013 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), which will further cement the model’s position as the benchmark in the three-row luxury SUV category. Utilizing a completely new platform that has been optimized in every respect, the seven-passenger MDX will offer enhanced ride comfort, a more versatile cabin, and increased fuel efficiency, while also improving dynamic performance.

The new third-generation 2014 Acura MDX is equipped with a highly efficient direct-injected 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), and will be offered in both SH-AWD and 2-wheel-drive drivetrain variants, the latter configuration being a first for the model. The 2014 MDX features a longer wheelbase that raises ride quality, increases second-row legroom, and improves third-row seat access. In addition, the 2014 Acura MDX harnesses a collection of Acura signature technologies, including the next-generation of the AcuraLink® Connectivity System and Jewel Eye™ LED headlamps.

The 2014 MDX offers a collection of innovative driver assistive and visibility technologies such as the Multi-Angle Rearview Camera and the available Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, and Blind Spot Information (BSI). The third-generation MDX is also equipped with a broad array of advanced safety technologies, including the next generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ II (ACE™ II) body structure and the available Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) systems. Further, the 2014 MDX is expected to achieve top-level safety ratings, including a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA and a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the IIHS.

The Acura press conference is scheduled for 12:10 PM (EDT) on March 27, 2013 inside the Jacob Javits Convention Center. Shortly after, the recorded press conference will be available for view on www.acuranews.com and www.youtube.com/acura. For members of the media, press materials and photography will be posted at www.acuranews.com immediately following the press conference.

[Source: Acura]

2014 Acura RLX

Official release from acuranews.com:

New Acura flagship sedan offers outstanding luxury, performance and connectivity

03/14/2013 – TORRANCE, Calif.

The 2014 RLX luxury flagship sedan goes on sale at Acura dealerships tomorrow, March 15th, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $48,450* and topping out at $60,450 for the technology-laden RLX with Advance package.

The all-new 2014 Acura RLX is the most powerful, spacious, and technologically advanced sedan in the history of Acura. Powered by an all-new 310-horsepower, direct-injected V-6 engine and featuring a host of Acura signature technologies, including Precision All-Wheel Steer™, Jewel Eye™ LED headlights, and the next generation of the AcuraLink® connected car system, the RLX delivers new levels of technology-enhanced performance, comfort and connectivity in a luxury flagship sedan.

Using smart packaging, advanced aerodynamics, and lightweight body design, along with fuel-saving i-VTEC with Variable Cylinder Management engine technology, the RLX has top-class EPA fuel economy ratings of 20/31/24 mpg (city/highway/combined).¹

In keeping with the Acura brand focus on “The Synergy Between Man and Machine,” the RLX utilizes an all-new direct-injection engine, lightweight body structure, and Acura Precision All-Wheel Steer™ (P-AWS™) to deliver a dynamic driving experience that truly reflects the will of the driver.  Whether on a serpentine mountain pass, congested city street, or cramped airport parking deck, the RLX with P-AWS™, is designed to deliver an unprecedented level of handling precision and control.

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